Above ground pool units with foldable side panel, deck and fence

ABSTRACT

Collapsible, foldable unit pool structures, the assembly of which forms an enclosed pool, each unit comprising a portion of a fence and deck hingedly connected together, and in some cases a portion of a pool wall hingedly connected to the deck by a brace. A second brace hinged to the deck is bolted during assembly to the fence. The deck, fence and pool wall sections or portions fold flat for shipping. After each unit is unfolded to its erected state with the deck extending substantially perpendicular to the fence and with all pool wall sections abutted approximately perpendicular and bolted to their respective deck sections, the units are attached end-to-end to each other by bolting the underside of their deck sections together. A pool liner is attached to the pool wall sections over the abutment joints, the liner covering also the ground or any excavation utilized to deepen the pool.

United States Patent Lankheet 15 3,654,639 [451 Apr. 11, 1972 [54] ABOVE GROUND POOL UNITS WITH F OLDABLE SIDE PANEL, DECK AND FENCE [72] Inventor: Jay A. Lankheet, Holland, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Glamour Pools Company, Holland, Mich.

[221 Filed: Sept. 22, 1970 Appl. No.: 74,446

[52] U.S.Cl ..4/172.19,52/169 [51] Int. Cl. ..E04h 3/16, E04h 3/18 [58] Field ofSearch ..4/172.19, 172.11, 17212, 172.21; 52/169, 272

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,002,195 10/1961 Prudek ..4/172.11

3,051,964 9/1962 Fisher et a1. ..4/172.1I

3,209,373 10/1965 Meredith et al. ..4/172.11

3,447,168 6/1969 Gabrielli et a1. ..4/172 3,458,875 8/1969 Michalke et a1. ..4/172 Primary ExaminerHenry K. Artis Attorney-Price, Heneveld, Huizenga and Cooper [5 7] ABSTRACT Collapsible, foldable unit pool structures, the assembly of which forms an enclosed pool, each unit comprising a portion of a fence and deck hingedly connected together, and in some cases a portion of a pool wall hingedly connected to the deck by a brace. A second brace hinged to the deck is bolted during assembly to the fence. The deck, fence and pool wall sections or portions fold flat for shipping. After each unit is unfolded to its erected state with the deck extending substantially perpendicular to the fence and with all pool wall sections abutted approximately perpendicular and bolted to their respective deck sections, the units are attached end-toend to each other by bolting the underside of their deck sections together. A pool liner is attached to the pool wall sections over the abutment joints, the liner covering also the ground or any excavation utilized to deepen the pool.

14 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures [151 3,654,639 [451 Apr. 11, 1972 United States Patent Lankheet 72 75 %i as L/AB PATENTEDAPR 11 I972 3,654.639

sum 2 BF 4 nnnl Innl FIG. \0

PATENTEDAPR n 1912 3,654.639

sum 3 [IF 4 ABOVE GROUND POOL UNITS WITH FOLDABLE SIDE PANEL, DECK AND FENCE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the construction of swimming pools for private homes, it has been customary to either construct an elaborate concrete pool of a permanent nature utilizing poured concrete and concrete footings, or to construct an above ground pool characterized by a lack of permanent structure but having a deck running around the pool. In the case of the former permanent construction, during periods of nonuse such as during winter months, the entire concrete construction must remain in place, which if not hidden creates an eyesore at best. Also, a concrete pool cannot be moved when the owner moves. On the other hand, the conventional construction for the above ground pool features a lack of spaciousness obtainable by the large permanently installed types, and even the portability of the above ground types has not resulted in ease of installation. That is, a large number of bolts and even in some cases concrete footings have to be provided and constructed even for the deck structure of the above ground types. Furthermore, a damaged portion is not easily repairable nor can the structure be easily altered in shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This disclosure relates to a swimming pool, a large portion of which is above ground and which features a foldable deck structure which need not be permanently installed. Specifically, there is provided a number of modular unit pool structures each of which is either a side unit or a corner unit. Each side unit has a deck section, a fence section, a pool wall section, and means pivotally joining the deck section to the fence section and to the wall section so that the sections may be folded together, such as for shipping, with the deck and fence sections parallel, or unfolded for erection. The corner units have similar parts, except for the pool wall section. Means are provided for mounting these units in the proper orientation with respect to each other, namely end-to-end after each unit is unfolded and set up. The structure is so arranged that the pool can be entirely above ground, or a small excavation can be made to deepen the pool and yet make use of the foldable construction of the invention.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a swimming pool structure of the above ground type which can be easily erected or disassembled with the use of a minimum number of bolts and without the need for concrete footings.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a swimming pool structure which has the closed deck characteristics of an above ground pool while at the same time having the sturdiness and size capacity of a permanent pool installation.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a structure so as to be formed by foldable modular units which are interchangeable and separately replaceable.

It is still another object of the invention to provide such a swimming pool structure which is greatly simplified in construction so as to facilitate the assembly by the ultimate user of the units making up the pool.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon reference to the following drawings and detailed discussion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view, portions of which are broken away, of a swimming pool constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the access unit of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a modular unit constructed in accordance with the invention, illustrating the unit in its collapsed folded state;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the unit illustrated in FIG. 4 in its erected state;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, portions of which are broken away, taken along the line VI-Vl of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an elevated fragmentary perspective view of a comer unit of the pool;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary bottom view taken GENERALLY along the lines X-X of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention relates to a swimming pool construction of the above ground type which, although capable of being easily installed and disassembled, is characterized by a sturdiness and a capacity usually obtainable only by permanent pool installations. The construction features a number of interchangeable unit pool structures, each of which can be folded and unfolded, such as for shipping and storing, and thereafter attached to the others to complete the pool structure.

Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a pool 20 constructed in accordance with the invention, the pool being surrounded by a closed deck formed by modular side units 40 attached together end-to-end, unit 40a of which is the access unit to the pool, the unit 40a having joined thereto a gang plank or walkway 90. Modular corner units complete the closed-in deck area characterized by the pool of the invention.

SIDE UNITS Units 40 are side units for the pool, as distinguished from the comer units 100, the side units being illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 7.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 3 and 5, each unit 40 when erected comprises assembled portions of the entire pool, the portions for each unit being a fence section 42, a deck section 50, and a pool wall section 60. Each unit 40 is identical with every other unit 40, except for unit 40a discussed below. The fence section 42 for each unit 40 is formed by at least two twoby-four uprights 44 of any desired length, the preferable length being 6 feet. A top and a bottom two-by-four 46 and 48 complete the frame for the fence, and the body of the fence is formed by fiberglass panels 49. The panels 49 are conventional and can come in a variety of shapes, including corrugated, and in a variety of colors and opacities.

The deck section 50 comprises a base 52 formed from either plywood or ABS molded plastic, the deck section being provided either with or without an indoor-outdoor carpet thereon. The deck section 50 and the fence section 42 are hingedly mounted together by conventional leaf hinges 54 nailed to the uprights 44 and to the base of the deck section 52. To provide vertical support for the base 52, at least two two-byfours or two-by-sixes 55 are attached to the base 52 as shown, preferably at the ends of each unit. Another two-by-four or two-by-six board 56 connects the ends of the boards 54 opposite to the hinge, for a purpose hereinafter described. Because the boards 55 extend at their end opposite to the board 56 out beyond the base 52 of the deck, it is necessary to recess the uprights 44 to provide a groove 58 to accommodate that extension. A horizontal board 59 extends from one upright 44 to the other immediately below the recess 58, to aid in supporting the deck 50. A ledge 57 attached to the side wall 60 similarly supports theend of the deck adjacent the pool wall.

The pool wall section 60 of the unit comprises a fiberglass wall 62 at the top of which is provided a coping section 64 formed in two pieces. The piece 66 is a plywood or a plastic which has a recess 68 (FIG. 7) to accommodate a tile '70 which holds a liner in place, as is described hereinafter under the heading Assembly. The second section 72 extends horizontally from the section 66, and is notched at 74 to receive a sliding plywood panel 76 inserted for decorative purposes.

The wall section 60 is hingedly connected and braced to the deck section 50 by means of a brace 78, each brace being bolted at one end 80 to a board 55, and at the other end 82 hingedly mounted. to the bottom end of the wall section 60.

, Specifically, the wall section 60 is provided with a rest 84 which is positioned upon the ground when the pool is installed, the hinge connection 86 for the end 82 of the brace being a part of that rest (FIGS. 3 and 4). Such a construction minimizes the extent to which the wall section projects, when folded, beyond the deck section.

Still another brace 87 connects the deck section 50 to the fence section 42, the brace 87 being bolted at one end by bolts 88 to the boards 55 (FIG. 6). At the opposite end it is adapted to accommodate a removably mounted bolt 89 to secure it to the uprights 44 when the unit is completely assembled and erected, thereby rigidifying the hinged joint between the fence section and the deck section. t

It will be readily apparent that each of the units 40 is interchangeable and/or replaceable by any one of the other units 40, due to their identical structure.

The side unit 400 is identical with the other side units 40 except for openings provided in the fence section 42a thereof. Referring to FIG. 2, the opening 92 allows pool users access to the deck area and to the pool by means of the walkway or gang plank 90. The plant may be provided with rails or steps 94 attached horizontally across at spaced intervals for safety purposes. Still another opening 96 is provided under the deck section 50, the opening allowing access to the underside of the deck so as to complete attaching of the very last units for the pool as hereinafter described. A simple door 98 closes off the opening 96 when the latter is not being used.

CORNER UNITS FIGS. 8 through illustrate the structure of the corner units 100 which provide a 90 angle bend to the closed deck area formed by the attached units 40 (FIG. 1).

The corner units 100 include a fence section 102 which is substantially identical with the fence section 42 of units 40. That is, uprights 104 are joined at the top by boards 106 and the bottom by boards 108 to complete the frame. Fiber glass panels 109 are positioned between the uprights and the top and bottom boards. Also, the fence section 102 uses a leaf hinge 114 to attach the deck section thereto However, the deck section 120 differs from the decks of the units 40 by being a triangle, such as a right angle triangle, the deck sections 120 otherwise being constructed exactly as the deck sections 50. Thus, the support boards 125 extend beyond the deck section 120 into the uprights 104 as in the case of the decks of the units 40.

To support the deck section 120 in its erected configuration, a brace member 130 is permanently hinged to the deck section 120 by any suitable structure, a representative construction being illustrated in FIG. 10. That is, two-by-fours 132 extend across the bottom of the deck section 120 and have extended therethrough a doubly threaded carriage bolt 134. The brace 130 pivots upon the bolt 134 at that end of the brace, while the opposite end of the brace is designed to receive bolts 136 which are removably mounted between two upright two-by-fours 138.

ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY FIG. 4 illustrates the appearance of modular units 40 when disassembled in the folded state. That is, the hinges 54 allow the deck section 50 to be positioned substantially parallel with respect to the fence section 42. In this configuration, the wall section 60 has been rotated from its position shown in FIG. 3 clockwise until the coping 64 abuts the underside of the deck section 50. The rest 84 thus is located adjacent the end board 56, and the brace 87 is pivoted so as to loosely fit parallel to the deck section between the support boards 55. The wall section's folded position is approximately parallel to the deck section 50. Thus, the unit compactly folds into a minimum of space, as is advantageous for shipping. The method of assembly begins with the step of folding the'units and shipping them in the folded position.

In the next step in the assembly, the units are unfolded so as to vertically position the fence sections and the wall sections with the respective deck sections disposed therebetween. Specifically, the deck section and the wall section are pivoted away from the fence section, primarily by pivoting the deck section. The pivoting continues until the deck section 50 is approximately perpendicular to the fence section 42, while the wall section 60 is approximately perpendicular to the deck section 50 and abuts the end board 56. Bolts removably fix the wall section to the deck section in the abutted relationship.

The same steps are utilized for the corner units 100, except, of course, there is no pivoting or attaching of the wall section inasmuch as the comer units lack this item. After the corner unit is assembled in place with the side units, a reinforcing or bracing post can be added and attached to the adjacent wall sections (FIG. 1). I

The next step normally is to pivot the brace 87, in the case of the units 40, or the brace 130 in the case of the units 100, toward the fence sections and bolt their free ends thereto by means of the bolts 89 and 136, respectively.

Continuing, the next step is to attach each unit to its adjacent unit in an end-to-end fashion by bolting the deck sections together, thereby forming a closed pool enclosure. To this end, each deck section is provided with a bolt hole in each support board 55, the attachment being accomplished by means of a carriage bolt,162 (FIG. 6). It will be readily apparent that when the last unit is installed, if the unit 40a is not the last unit, there will be no way of getting under the deck section to attach the support boards 'to the adjacent boards of the last unit by means of the bolts 162. Accordingly, the unit 40a is the last unit to be installed, and the person making the bolted connections between the deck sections obtains access to the outside of the fence sections from under the decks by the opening 96 provided in the unit 400.

A final step in the method of assembly is 'the attachment of the pool liner to the pool walls, the liner being generally formed from a vinyl material. The liner serves to cover the joints between the abutting pool walls of the unit, thereby preventing leaking. The attachment of the liner to the walls is obtained by the use of the aforedescribed tile 70, bolts 1 72 mounting the tile in place over the top edge of the liner as shown in FIG. 7. Also, the liner serves to cover over the bolts 150. The liner generally extends across the ground to the opposite walls where it completes the pool surface by its mounting in a similar fashion on the opposite walls.

It will be readily appreciated that the same procedure of assembly is followed concerning the comer units, except that there are no wall sections 60 requiring unfolding. That is, the corner units are shipped with the deck sections 120 and the fence sections 102 folded flat and parallel to each other. Erection of the unit proceeds by unfolding the deck and fence sections and attaching the brace 130.

FIG. 3 illustrates a modification that can be obtained in the process, namely the use of a partial excavation in the ground so as to deepen the pool. In this embodiment, a preliminary step is to dig out a hole to provide additional depth below that which would be obtained without the hole. Thus, instead of having a pool' which is only 3% feet deep, the depth preferably obtainable without digging a portion of the ground away, any depth pool can be obtained. In any case, if a preliminary excavation is provided, the units 40 and 100 and the unit 40a are arranged during their assembly around the excavation. 1

It will be readily appreciated that the braces of the construction, namely braces 78 and 87, serve to provide a sturdy and rigid anchorage of the deck section to the wall section and to the fence section, the water in turn reinforcing the wall sections against the deck sections. It will also be realized from the aforegoing description of the assembly that the only bolts which must be added to complete the assembly are the bolts 89, 136, 150 and 160 which attach the braces 87 and 130 to the fence sections, the wall section to the deck section, and the decks to each other, respectively.

Also from the preceding discussion, it will be realized that where desired, the disassembly of the pool structure, and specifically of the entire deck, pool wall and fence is readily obtained simply by reversing the above described steps, the limited number of bolts greatly facilitating in the operation. After such disassembly, the only evidence remaining of the use of a pool would be an excavation, if used.

Furthermore, the modular nature of the pool structure allows the assembled structure to be easily modified to change its size, or repaired simply by replacing the damaged unit. This is done by unbolting the decks at the point where the modification or repair is to take place, making the change, and rebolting the structure together.

Although specific embodiments have been described in connection with the instant invention, it will be readily appreciated that other embodiments are possible which will provide equivalent structure. For example, the assembled units can be so assembled as to obtain any size or shape having right angle corners. The corner units could be modified to provide angles other than 90. Also, more than one unit 40a can be utilized for additional access. Furthermore, the assembly and disassembly steps can be varied somewhat in their order. For example, the bolts 89 can be utilized to complete the bracing of the deck to the fence prior to the bolting of the side wall to the deck by means of the bolts 150. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention cover all embodiments, alternatives and equivalent arrangements as may be included within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows.

1. A modular swimming pool unit comprising:

a deck section;

a fence section;

a pool wall section; and

means for pivotably joining said fence section to one end of said deck section and said pool wall section to another end of said deck section such that said deck, fence, and pool wall sections can be folded to a flat position with said sections approximately parallel to each other, and unfolded to an erected position wherein said fence section and said wall section are vertically disposed with said deck section therebetween and means to provide stability and rigidity to said sections when in said erected position.

2. The unit as defined in claim 1, and further comprising a brace member pivotably joined to said deck section such that it is rotatable to and from a position wherein it is approximately parallel to said deck section when the latter is in said flat position; and means for securing said member to said fence section when the latter is in said erected position so as to rigidify the joint between said deck and said fence sections.

3. The unit as defined in claim 2, wherein said member is attached to said fence section by said securing means below said deck section when said sections are in said erected position.

4. The unit as defined in claim 2, wherein said joining means includes a brace pivotably attached at one end to said pool wall section, and at the other end to said deck section.

5. The unit as defined in claim 4, and further including means for fixing said deck section to said wall section when said sections are in said erected position.

6. The unit as defined in claim 1, and further including means for fixing said other end of said deck section to said wall section when said sections are in said erected position.

7. The unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said joining means includes a brace pivotably attached at one end to said pool wall section, and at the other end to said deck section.

8. The unit as defined in claim 7, wherein said brace is attached to said wall section at a point which minimizes the extent to which said wall section projects beyond the end of said deck section when said sections are in said flat position.

. The unit as defined in claim 8, wherein said wall section includes an end especially adapted to rest upon the ground when said unit is erected, said end including said point of attachment.

10. A swimming pool structure comprising a plurality of modular units and means for connecting said units together; at least some of said units comprising a fence section, a deck section, a pool wall section; and means for pivotally joining said fence section to one end of said deck section and said pool wall section to another end of said deck section such that said deck, fence, and pool wall sections can be folded to a flat position with said sections approximately parallel to each other, and unfolded to an erected position wherein said fence section and said wall section are vertically disposed with said deck section therebetween and means to provide stability and rigidity to said sections when in said erected position.

11. The structure as defined in claim 10, wherein the remainder of said units comprise a fence section, a deck section, and means for pivotally joining said remainder fence section to one end of said remainder deck section such that said remainder deck and fence sections can be folded to a flat position with said remainder sections substantially parallel to each other, and unfolded to an erected position wherein said fence section is vertically disposed.

12. The structure as defined in claim 11, wherein said remainder deck sections are triangular in shape, whereby said remainder units comprise the corner units of said pool structure.

13. The structure as defined in claim 10, wherein all but one of said some units are identical in construction, whereby said all but one units may be connected in any order.

14. The structure as defined in claim 13, wherein said one unit includes means for gaining access through said fence to and from the underside of said deck when said sections of said one unit are in the erected position. 

1. A modular swimming pool unit comprising: a deck section; a fence section; a pool wall section; and means for pivotably joining said fence section to one end of said deck section and said pool wall section to another end of said Deck section such that said deck, fence, and pool wall sections can be folded to a flat position with said sections approximately parallel to each other, and unfolded to an erected position wherein said fence section and said wall section are vertically disposed with said deck section therebetween and means to provide stability and rigidity to said sections when in said erected position.
 2. The unit as defined in claim 1, and further comprising a brace member pivotably joined to said deck section such that it is rotatable to and from a position wherein it is approximately parallel to said deck section when the latter is in said flat position; and means for securing said member to said fence section when the latter is in said erected position so as to rigidify the joint between said deck and said fence sections.
 3. The unit as defined in claim 2, wherein said member is attached to said fence section by said securing means below said deck section when said sections are in said erected position.
 4. The unit as defined in claim 2, wherein said joining means includes a brace pivotably attached at one end to said pool wall section, and at the other end to said deck section.
 5. The unit as defined in claim 4, and further including means for fixing said deck section to said wall section when said sections are in said erected position.
 6. The unit as defined in claim 1, and further including means for fixing said other end of said deck section to said wall section when said sections are in said erected position.
 7. The unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said joining means includes a brace pivotably attached at one end to said pool wall section, and at the other end to said deck section.
 8. The unit as defined in claim 7, wherein said brace is attached to said wall section at a point which minimizes the extent to which said wall section projects beyond the end of said deck section when said sections are in said flat position.
 9. The unit as defined in claim 8, wherein said wall section includes an end especially adapted to rest upon the ground when said unit is erected, said end including said point of attachment.
 10. A swimming pool structure comprising a plurality of modular units and means for connecting said units together; at least some of said units comprising a fence section, a deck section, a pool wall section; and means for pivotally joining said fence section to one end of said deck section and said pool wall section to another end of said deck section such that said deck, fence, and pool wall sections can be folded to a flat position with said sections approximately parallel to each other, and unfolded to an erected position wherein said fence section and said wall section are vertically disposed with said deck section therebetween and means to provide stability and rigidity to said sections when in said erected position.
 11. The structure as defined in claim 10, wherein the remainder of said units comprise a fence section, a deck section, and means for pivotally joining said remainder fence section to one end of said remainder deck section such that said remainder deck and fence sections can be folded to a flat position with said remainder sections substantially parallel to each other, and unfolded to an erected position wherein said fence section is vertically disposed.
 12. The structure as defined in claim 11, wherein said remainder deck sections are triangular in shape, whereby said remainder units comprise the corner units of said pool structure.
 13. The structure as defined in claim 10, wherein all but one of said some units are identical in construction, whereby said all but one units may be connected in any order.
 14. The structure as defined in claim 13, wherein said one unit includes means for gaining access through said fence to and from the underside of said deck when said sections of said one unit are in the erected position. 